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Council hears Second St. property update

North Catasauqua Borough Council heard an update on property improvements at 1020 and 1022 Second St. during a brief meeting Jan. 7.

Work on Hyoungjoon Park’s Second Street property is reportedly still in progress. Borough council continues to receive updates from Park and his lawyer, Alexander Ward. A deadline extension was requested for an electrical permit. Council members approved the request and set a Feb. 4 deadline.

Litigation on the 1020 and 1022 Second St. property began in April 2017.

Park purchased the property via sheriff sale in October 2017, with the intention of making repairs and renting each half of the two-unit structure. At a previous meeting, Park said he did not receive a physical copy of the deed to the property until mid-December 2017, adding the difficulty of scheduling construction during the winter delayed his intended repairs.

Council presented to Park a timeline of required work to be done on the property.

As stipulated, Park delivered a $5,000 deposit to the borough office Feb. 20, 2018. He was required to deposit another $5,000 by Feb. 23, 2018.

Before the March 5, 2018, borough council meeting, Park was required to present a detailed outline of what work was scheduled, who was scheduled to do the work and when it was estimated for completion.

All structural issues at the property were to have been addressed by March 22, 2018, the sinkhole must have been filled by April 1, 2018, and the property must have been brought up to code by Aug. 1, 2018.

Park is responsible for paying all fees incurred by the borough, such as the cancellation of the asbestos removal.

If, at any time, Park fails to comply with a requirement of the agreement, the borough will nullify the agreement and take appropriate action.

Also at the Jan. 7 meeting, council reported the borough has been in communication with the owner of 1151 Front St. about a pit of water in the basement. The borough requested the water in the pit be tested, before being dumped, to ensure it was strictly water, free of any toxins or other liquids mixed in.

When council followed up with the owner, members were informed the water had been tested and sent to Catasauqua Borough, which administers sewerage for North Catasauqua and Catasauqua boroughs.

Council has alleged the owner bypassed council’s request and did not present the test results to North Catasauqua before having the water dumped.

In other news, Peter Paone will be replacing Joseph D. Keglovits on North Catasauqua Planning Commission.

Council also approved the police department’s request to lease/purchase a new vehicle.